As spring develops to become summer, we are certainly busy here at the Hive Music and Media Centre in Shrewsbury. Not only do we have new projects launching and commencing, such as the exciting Youthful Landscapes project working with young people across the South Shropshire landscape and a variety of new partners - but we also have Encompass, a collaborative digital dance project celebrating the Olympics.

Our summer 2012 brochure has now been designed and is available for you to request, featuring a whole host of events and activities taking place throughout the months of May through until September and far beyond. With all the regular events that have come to be popular fixtures of the venue's programme; jazz and folk concerts, life drawing classes, toddler music sessions, textile workshops, youth drama classes and much more - there are also new additions with cinema, the Shrewsbury Jazz Orchestra and even more besides, including our Focus on Marketing networking evenings.

The Hive was pleased to welcome the Bright Owls language school to the centre last year - and we are similarly pleased to be announcing the arrival of Dash Arts, the Shropshire based disability arts group, who are relocating to us from their existing base in Monkmoor and due to arrive in June.

We have been busy making improvements to the website over the last few weeks, in an effort to make browsing the site as easy and efficient as possible for our visitors. You will hopefully have noticed our refreshed homepage which has seen the large amount of previous content reduced - and you will also notice other enhancements as you take a look through the many pages... As we're sure you will discover, there is perhaps more taking place at the Hive in Shrewsbury than you might have imagined!

Whether you are old or young, local or a visiting tourist, I hope you find an event, project or activity of interest and we look forward to seeing you during the summer at the Hive - youth and community arts organisation and entertainment venue.

It's rather cold at the moment, so I'm enjoying making myself at home on the cosy radiator in reception - maybe you'll see me there next time you come in! The great news, is that more and more events are selling out well in advance of taking place at the Hive. The centre's growing reputation as a vibrant venue for arts and culture in Shropshire really is increasing at the moment.

2012 has already proven to be quite a successful year for the venue in terms of sell-out events - I've been to a few myself so far. In January, the acclaimed jazz musician Art Themen took to the stage to perform to a packed audience, as part of the popular series of concerts delivered by the Shrewsbury Jazz Network. I took to the stage with Tommaso Starace only a few months ago... This month, Jim Mullen will be performing to a full-house on Saturday 18th February, in a special reunion concert. It's already sold-out!

Ruth Moody launched the 2012 season of monthly folk concerts last month at the venue and this month will see the legendary folk artist Martin Simpson perform to a sell-out crowd, further demonstrating the developing reputation of the Hive as a venue for top quality live music. I enjoy all of the concerts at the centre, I like my music!

Although, it's not only live music which is proving popular – other events are also selling out, including the increasingly successful EDW Wrestling shows. I haven't made it to one myself yet... February’s event sold out within minutes of doors opening, with more than 40 people being turned away on the night and the event was so popular with wrestling fans that organisers have now decided to offer tickets for sale in advance of the events! Tickets for April's show are already on sale and selling well.

The majority of other events and activities at the Hive Music and Media Centre continue to expand too, with the fortnightly cinema screenings with the Shrewsbury Film Society also seeing a steady increase in audience levels. There is more going on at the Hive in Shrewsbury town centre than you might think – with languages, workshops, exhibitions, theatre shows, youth drama, toddler groups, life drawing, venue hire, open mics and lots more… Browse the What’s On page for more details of events taking place.

Hope to see you at your buzzing arts venue soon!

The Hive is building on a successful 2011 with the centre’s growing reputation as a vibrant venue for arts and culture ensuring that there is plenty on offer for all ages and interests in Shropshire next year!

Particular highlights of the exciting spring programme include the monthly folk concerts which are delivered in partnership with the Shrewsbury Folk Festival team. Numerous world-class acts will be taking to the Hive’s stage with Jim Moray, Martin Simpson, Andy Cutting and Ruth Moody just some of the internationally acclaimed names set to perform.

Following on from the success of the summer open mic nights, there are an increased number of open mic events set to take place providing further opportunities for local musicians to showcase their musical talent. The renowned Art Themen launches the Shrewsbury Jazz Network concerts in January and the Network will also host the return of the JJ Wheeler Quintet in March, alongside a special concert with the Jim Mullen Reunion Quartet in February.

The Hive will be welcoming the return of all of our regular events and activities in the New Year, such as Shrewsbury life drawing, toddler groups, Shropshire Youth Theatre, the Shrewsbury Film Society and EDW Wrestling plus much more. We are also looking forward to hosting childrens theatre shows in association with Shrewsbury Bookfest and a screening of Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo as part of the Shrewsbury Darwin Festival celebrations.

Additional events taking place next year include Easter workshops for young people ages 8-13, a garden design workshop, celebrations for International Women’s Day and the Hive’s May Festival, which follows on from the foundations of the popular Royal Wedding street party on Belmont which was organised by the Hive in April.

The Hive’s work with young people across the county is set to continue, with the exciting launch of several new projects, including Youthful Landscapes in South Shropshire. The Centre is dedicated to providing opportunities for young people to have fun, develop new life skills and explore their potential through creativity.

The Hive’s spring brochure is now available and people are encouraged to drop by the Centre in person to pick up a copy on 5 Belmont, SY1 1TE. The spring brochure can also be viewed online via the website.